Tunneling machine



April 14, 1931. F. A. KING TUNNELING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1929 5Sheets-5h86?l l F. A, KING April 14, 1931.

'FUNNELI NG MACHI NE Filed July 29, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 14, 1931vF. A. KING TUNNELING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3duerma# April 14, 1931.- F, A K|NG A 1,800,541

' TUNNELING MACHINE Filed July 29, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Snom/nto@ April14, 193

F. A. KING TUNNELING MACHTNE Filed July 29, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheryl'I 5gmwwtm Patented Apr. 14, 1931 FRANK A. KING, GFDENVER, COLORADOTourismus MACHINE Application filed July 29, 1929.

l and to obstruct traffic during the period that the constructiontakesplace. if/Then trenches are cut in the manner above intimated, itoftentimes interferes with the foundations of buildings, as it removesor destroys the lateral support whenever these trenches extend below thefoundations.

t is the object of this invention to produce a machine by means of whicha tunnel of any desired size can readily be cut through the groundwithout interfering with the surface and therefore by means of thismachine, it is possible to install or build a sewer or water mainunderneath the street without interfering with the trac and also, `forreasons that will become apparent as the description procecds, withoutinterfering with the foundations of any buildings or other structuresadjacent to the path of the tunnel. v

This invention, brieiiy described, comprises a machine having a shieldof the size and form of the unfinished tunnel. An open frame whoseoutside shape and dimensions is such that it will fit the inside of theshield is located within and connected to the latter by means of aplurality of screws which have threaded connections with nuts secured tothe front of the shield and whose rear ends are rotatably connected withthe frame. Means are provided for simultaneously rotating` the screwsfor the purpose of moving the shield forwardly with respect to theframe. I also provide a plurality of form members that are putin `placedirectly back of the frame and which hold the concrete in place anddetermine the inside shape and size of the opening. In

Serial No. 381,715.

addition to the above, I provide a plurality of retaining plates thatcan be putintoplace between tl e frame and the front edges of the formsafter the concrete has been put in' place and which serve to hold theconcrete while the frame is moved forwardly so as to provide space foranother form section.

Having thus briefly described the invention, the same will now bedescribed in detail, and for this purpose reference will behad to theaccompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been illustrated, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through a tunnel showing myimproved machine in place therein, the means for pouring the concretemixture being shown in dot and dash lines;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the front end of the shield looking in thedirection of arrow 3, Fig. 1; a portion being broken away to betterdisclose the construction;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line dqd, Fig. 3, and shows the manner ofsecuring the nut to the shield;

5 is a section taken on line 5 5, Fig. 2'

Fig. G is a section taken on line 6 6,4 Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 1 7, Fig. 1, and shows the parts to anenlarged scale;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8 8, Fig. 7, and shows the manner ofconnecting the re taining plates to the forms; A

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan View of the latching members employed forsecuring the forms together at the top;

Fig. 10 is a section taken on line 10-10 Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 11--11, Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a longitudinal vertical section through the tunnel showingthe conveyor which is employed for removing the muck;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line 13-13,

.Til

fFig. 15;

VFig.14;V e Fig. 16 is a section taken oni line 16.-16,

:conveyor in collapsed position.` Y In the drawings reference numeral1'rep resent-s the ground through which the tunnel; ,is being-built and2 theconcrete lining oli-.the

Fig. 12,v and showsthe power take-oil Afor operating the conveyor;

Fig.14 isa section ken 'on line' 1.4-1/1, Fig. 15 isl a section takenonline V15e-15,

Fig, 1Zis aseetion showin#7 theshaftcou-V pling rnembers'separated; andy Fig..18 is a fragmentary- View showing' the i finishedv tunnel.

. The tunneling machine Vconsists oifa shield i :3 'which isrnade fromsheet steelfof Vsnaitable plateseetions have been designated a; b ando.V

. The lowe'if section Aoi the reenforeinsffne'rna bier's is v'quite'Asharpl'ycurved'compared to the sections B and these'sectionshavetheiradj a'- .Y cent endsprovid'ed with flanges 5 tha-t f are Connected by'means of bolts. 6 so thattheV shijeldinaybe .taken 4apart at thesepoints] The'. upper: 'ends of the 're'e'nfor'cing sections Bare/connected with a`tr'ansver`se`bar 7 which islocated a shortdistancebelow the upper'.

- bersand is -secured"llofetweenthe:reenoreing v mfernher'sand'thebai'fhy rneans of 'bolts 1 0 f In the ,example ',shown't'heshield hasthe 'forinof an "ell'ipse,-. whichgis'believed to be thei-nostV tunnels-ef hens end of .the shield The shield section Vc.h-asfinwardlybent flanges 8 that are adapted-softest on the upper `ends9ct theIreenfo-reinis` menusuitable form .for tunnels of, ordinarysize', Vvbut.this!inachine is .equally well adaptedlfor n d any-@otherdesiied-eross'jseeti'on. c t"wee' nf t-hert-wo Vreenforcingl mein# are'heldinfplace bymeansfof fboltsllli, l'The llugs 11 andthe caps- 13 havecomplementary [sernifcircufla Irecesses that fodperate :to formgcrbulal" opening siorgfthe 'rece-pt1onand y"c larnping of thecylindrical-portion 15 v o the elongated Triuts 16M Thercyllindricalpartg15.. Ais provided atv each'end with shoulders vthat ihl-dfthe niit against longitudinal movement and that portion" of theinside' openingj cor' 'Yresfionding to the'fcylindrical quart, 15v isc"fllisiaf tubularportio n' `18- that serves as a 4' relugs1-1, .th-atare secured 'in place f? by 'In ans- 'oi'bolts vor rivets 12.1r Theselugs 'are-jj :provided .with reinovablejcaps* '13 .that

- imode/11 housing for thescrew and protect the latter*V against injuryVfrom falling' dirt during. the

enczwatinzg'f--operation.V VThe `rear *ends* of 'screws 17 extend intohousings 19 that are 'carried by the frame 2O and each screw is Aprovided with a worm gear 21, lwhichV isen- Y gaged by awornnv 22carried Vonthe lower end 'of shaft 23. :"These shafts extend upwardly toagear casing 24 and have their upper ends Vprovidedwith beV'elled gears25 that Cooperate with similar Agears'onthe lowerendsoll shafts26fwhosenippel-Vends extend intolthe gear' case to which referencewillflereinafter be inade.- The shaft-s 23 yand 26 are prefe'ablylenclosed'in 'tubular' housings like A those indicated by referencenumeral 28 iniFig. 11.

'These housings serve to protect the Vshaft against dirt and also makeit possible to rnore yreadilykeel)'dirt from enteringlthe different Vgearcasings. The connecting-bar 7f-ha's-attached to itftwo guide 29`lthat eziteiid rearwardly and y'pa-ss' through openings' inthe frame 20..flherearendsofguidesy 29 are con-' v.nectedjby means of a fyolienneinber BO whichY has an'op'eningfthrough v",vi/'hi'chjthe oylin'driealhousingV 81 eitendsin the"V nianner shown; inf, Fig. 1 1. Secured to theconnectingbarfTinidJ 'way between the guides 29, ifsa bar 32 that ,hast11e'geater .pprtidn if its length threaded'- portionl of bar' 32extends' throng a tubular nutV 34; one endo ffwhichf is fjrnjv ed withthreadsthat" cooperate` with. thefthr nds Off) sie baai The @thefts-a dfmani-ias a radin lange'v wh ichL 'entefilsj1 over the stationary part.36Y 'of the, geary 'ca siig"v and is Vsefpaated from 'the naar by awashes '37. vrali. 'se sf the casing .has afrearwardlyeteiding tubular rnor-tion SSthat'sler'vesias a jloeari for tlefnut 34.1 aseirfedtjtheinner or the e mi hearing@ 38 is a 'gearQQ ge s; lIeld against rotationbyji'neans ofa key 4:0;V

cylindrical hearing 38 and 'is yseparmas'd Vfrom 'the latter'by'a'suitablebii'shing 42o? kbrass ,or s i 'rnilar.inaterial. .rllh'ea'arendof gear 4 1 has an oi1twdly 'extending flange 4? l ifhich thecylindri'calnieinber 45 sa Sleen-e473 ywhose in. Figsfl; 15 and 16;?v'Securedito'the inside Vis provided on its innen' surface with vgearvtjeeth 49. The diameter of tlietubiilar `gear 1 8 is suchthat when the'gear tteeth 'of g'ear 39 a ie' 'p roperly inesfhed on one side, 4 therewill be 'a slight spa'c'e'between V"theftipsofthe gear 4i ifs, mountedfr; repeatienjbst 'the' lllVV gear teeth at a diametrically oppositepoint in the manner-shown in Fig. l5. In the example shown'gear 39 has64 teeth while tubular gear 48 has66 teeth. Gears 48 and 39 form awobble reduction gear and in order to make them operative, it isnecessary that one of these gears shall rotate about the axis of theother in a circular path which is concentric with the aXis of the othergear. In order to effect this relative movement of the two gears, thetubular gear has been mounted, as above explained, within the eccentricopening of the tubular sleeve 47. The eccentricity of the opening inthis sleeve is slightly greater than the depth of the teeth, so that thegears will always maintain the relative position shown in Fig. 15 whilerotating at different speeds. The sleeve 47 is held in place by frictionwhich is produced by the pressure against its ends due to the clampingaction of member 50 when rotated into position in the threaded end ofthe cylindrical member 45. A lock nut 51 serves to hold member 50 inplace. The member designated as 50 is a flange that projects outwardlyfrom the tubular shaft 52. When shaft 52 is rotated by means of power,the assembly comprising member 45 `and sleeve 47 rotate as a unit andgive to the gear 48 a movement which causes its center to travel in acircle about the center of gear 39, there being of course relativerotation between gear 48 and member 47. Since gear 39 is stationary andhas two teeth less than gear 48, a relative rotation will take placebetween these two gears which in the example shown will result in a gearratio of 32 to l. It is now desirable to transmit rotation from gear48`to nut 34 and this is accomplished by means of the followingmechanism. The rear end of the tubular gear 48 is provided with two ormore notches 53 which are engaged by pro- Iiections 54 on the edge ofdisk 55, and therefore this disk will have the same rotary motion as thetubular `gear. AA disk which lias been indicated by reference numeral 56is secured to the tubular nut 34 in the manner shown in Fig. 14 and isforced against the shoulder 57 by mea-ns of a tubular nut 58 that isthreadedly connected with the rear end of nut 34 and is held in place bymeans of a lock nut 59. The disk 56 is held against rotation by means ofthe friction produced by the clamping nutand also by means of one ormore keys 60. The rear surface of disk 56 is provided with twodiametrical ribs 6l that correspond to similar diametrical ribs 62 ondisk V55. Separating disks and 56 and serving to transmit motion betweenthe two is a third disk which has been designated by reference numeral63. This disk is provided with'diametrical grooves 64 on the side adj acent disk 56 and these grooves are adapted to receive the ribs 61 and onthe opposite side disk 63 is provided with similar grooves 64a which arelocated at right angles with respect to the groove 64 and these groovesare adapted to receive the ribs 62 of disk 55. The three disks 55, 56and 63 form a coupling by means of which motion can be transmittedbetween two members that rotate on parallel but nonaligned axes. Whenthe tubular gear 48 is rotated, it will impart its rotation to disk 55and this in turn will transmit the motion to disk 56 through theintermediary of disk 63. As disks 55 and 63 have a wobble motion withrespect to the center of the tubular nut 58, the openings through whichthe tubular nut extends must be larger in diameter than the outside.diameter of the cylindrical portion of this nut so as to permit theproper movements without binding.

l/Vith the gear mechanism just described, when the tubular shaft 52 isrotated by means which will hereinafter be more fully eX- plained, itwill cause the tubular gear 48 to have a wobble motion about gear 39 andto travel at a speed that is greatly reduced in comparison with thespeed at which shaft 52 rotates, and this reduced speed is transmi ltedto the tubular nut 34 by the mechanism above described and this nutthere foreA rotates at a comparatively slow speed and moves the bar 32in a direction corresponding with the direction in which the )artsrotate. The parts just described are enclosed in a casing formed in partby a cylindrical casing member 3l which has a part 66 of increaseddiameter that encloses the rear end of the cylindrical member 45. Theouter flange 67 of the part 66 has secured to it a bearing 27 whoseother side is secured to the stationary member 36. This bearing carriesthe shaft 26 on the inner end of which is secured the bevelled gear 68that cooperates with the gear 4l and therefore when the latter rotates,it will also rotate the shafts 26 and 23 and thereby rotate the. screws17. The gear ratios are calculated in such a manner that thelongitudinal movement imparted to bar 32 by the rotation of nut 34 isthe same as the forward movement imparted to the lower end of the shieldby means of screws 17 and the nuts carried by the shield, and thereforethe shield will be moved with respect to the frame in such a manner thatthe two will always remain parallel.

Secured to the rear end of cylindrical member 3l is a cap 69 which hasan opening provided with a spherically curved inner surface 70 withwhich the spherical surface of the enlarged inner end 71 of the tubularmember 72 cooperates. A bushing 7.3 is secured to the inner surface ofthe rear end of member 31 and serves as a bearing for the couplingmember 7 4 to the inner surface of which shaft 52 is connected. Thiscoupling member has an opening in its rear end that is provided withspherically curved surfaces 75 for the reception of the ball 76, on theend of shaft 77. Pins 0r trunnions 78 extend in jdiariiietrially,foppositefi directions tronr thef splreifiealinerber 76andengage1in' recesses" or' notches 79; in the" end oiinember .74., MThis produ''es a universal -e-ouplingfthatzpermits power to betransmitted `troni-thel shaftfi :toaXes of these.

the 'tubular shaft 52 leven if. the

' shaftsy are* not nali'gmnent. The tbular gear leasing byebolts orserewsSSg-it-.prevents jtheiotoivfroni rotating :about its'support Whenlitl isl 'eerting kthe torque necessary; to;

" `'operate'fthe devioel Shaft 77 Vis provided xvithl-avv'vornil thatengages a vWorin,Wheel S 85,: vvhichiis lnounted on a `shaft thatextends. "tog the 'ontside `offtlois casing and which ear.V v

friese bevelg-'ear` 86 that Cooperatesrivith a similar vgear 287 on-oneend' of Vthe extension Vvvithfthe endroller'fof a belt: Conveyor. WhichY been indicated in-ageneral Way'by ref:

erenceifnunieral' '9.0: .fThisl V oonveyoffwvill 'be 'I v.referred.'tofhereinafterf` Referringv now'. to f 1 F ig. yl it Will beseen thatthe shield' 3 is pro.

- vided with' a Widen'e'dportion 9K1 at itsjlip'perend whiehservjes-to/hold the vgroundin `place V during.theintroduction?o-ftheconorete. je

. ineinl'oers".'` are* curved to Y With 4the'parts--assembledinfthernianner I above described,fthefoperation'ot the machineYvvillyn'c'wv* be=de`soribed-fThe shield and traine` beingasserriloledpas.v above are telescoped Vso Lthatqithe fsh'ield isilintheposition shown by j f Y dot' fanddash' .fli`nes n. Fig.1 .j .Before .the

machine. is introduced, thetnnnelshould be started .so as to' 4have aisuitable sized",ofpen-y ingifn' -Whi-eh tov placethegparts. After thel 1ymachine Yhas 'been 'pnt :n-.place a,'preterrned` l"Concretelb-ase'nieinber 92V, that .will be. herein-v ovethe eone'reteblock. I'These, Vform correspond with 'tnie o:ri.f"-tfhe finished'opening as* rectly b position. e "lhe; lower; ends: are .anohoredto theblocks 92 by 'means Voit f Wires moulded 1n `fthe Amanner show-n in fFig.' f 8.

i'gs. lrafnd' fandxare provided at y theirnpperiends with-:liigs 9 4thateoeperate to'forn a dovetail'shaped l-ughavingftwo l5 inclinedsides'9,5'. A slildable latehingdeviee Y Y -coiaiprsiinggbafs .-96 and97-*f1s` attached to these ings in fth'ej finanner shown inl Eig." 7i vhij and'se'rvestohqldtlenpper.endsin aligned i j and; the tiiiirielyflengtliened.'

ornisfQS are made fot sheet edges'reenforce'dbyaiigle A hen'the-forinmembers havelbe'en pnt into plaa -A`eonorete mlxtnre fisjintrodueedmeansV of apneuniatie Vdev iee.Wliiehfhas been.l` E showngby dotted"linesrin fFigQlQ, i making the firstl conrrete section, itis', yofopined-@neef essary `to provide .a vWall .f atithe; rear lofthe,or'ms,'but after the lirstse'etionhas beenpoured, the front suraoe ofthefrin and the retaining plates ltv-'111; formfan V'abiltinent W all'for the Ynext section.;` When' the space between the -fornis and the;wall ,of the shield hasb'een lilled vvithoo'nerete untilthe ,uppersurfacei's v.subst'antially along line 99, retainingplates arek takenfrom I the last :moulded section, and

inserted betveenthe frame andI thef eonerete'.- These; retaining plateshave been jshoWn-in Fibgslf -and'S Where they haveheenflesgj-ylnatedfiby referenceu nnmeral- 1O0v-g1'l7here 'are several sectionsgof;retaining plates suchVV size' and'` shape that. the'yextend f-roin thefront edge of the. 'form-s to theJ` .insideotV the Vshield-and from thetopeof member 20 ytothe vided with lugsl'OSthat haveopenings whichserve/as bearings for tliegends o fthis. bar. hoolrlOlsipivotally;attaohedftothegeellfrof.

thelatehing barand the'latter iSH pOvi'dedivvith Y a handle 105 by meansofvvhiehitgcan' beroftatedi The forms 93 are. provided,.With depressed'surfaces 1061Whiohperinit-.the hook to of Concrete basevinembers V92.--f` Each' `.plate liasone edgereenforcfedby means ot ja K casting.101 to Whiolrgthe eurvedflatch bar 102 is pivotally .attaehedgi ThisCasting isfpro.r

be' inserted 'thereintojsozas to'engage the in# ner snrztace ofVthe?'angle'.iron',in theinanner 'showninliig 8: Castings 101e-refspeeially constructed and have lonegflange much Wider.

tlia'nthev other` and-this flange, 'which .has been designatedbyrefe-renee numeral 107, projectsoverx onto Vthe outer. surface ofthef'forzn f 93 Y With Vwhich itis Connected and therefore when theparte are assembled ``asshmvjn Fire; `8

. the retaining "pla-te kwill bei held in sii'elia 'Way .that-they makean angle fof sulo-A i' .stantialily ninety degr-GGS ift'hfthe;r torngisand rameis inovedff Inzorderf-toassuretliatithere the retaining plates f,tobe finser "j .Af'ter the `r'etai-rfiin'g plaft'esfliaveV` been f petinto -zpll-aceyin the manner l above; described,

holfdfthe Soft? concrete infplaee vhilethe l 110 Vwillral-Ways AbeVsniei-entjspaee betvveeiflthe" "endsfof the `forms*andthe raineftoperinit e Y rtsdpelfs. v'108 areenployed-at predeter-ininedpositions..`f

move the` "shield forwardlyf of theoperationfhe grQund-niustbe removed efterth Shield tionin the manner abovedescriloed and 901i'.

n'eeted ,at the top byzrneansot .the latching' During thispart 924'?Whew @meent number" @feesie-@fiele uit have thus been formed, the motor82 is attached to the lugs 911 of some of the sections by means of adovetailed slide 109. l/Vhen the tunnel is first started the motor issupported on a temporary support.

The slidable latching bars have been shown i in Figs. 9 and 10, fromwhich it will be seen has one end provided with an opening for the rivet116 and the other one connected to the bar 96 by means of the rivet 118.It is apparent that by rotating the lever 113, bars 96 and 97 can bemoved relative to each other. When the parts are in the position shownin Fig. 9, the connecting rod 117 and the part 115 form a. togglewhichis slightly overset and which therefore locks the bars in adjustedposition. In order to align the parts with the frame, the latter hasbeen provided with a lug 119 with which the forward ends ofthe latchingbars are engaged in the manner shown most clearly in Figs. 5 and 6.

After several sections have been formed, so that all the parts will bein the position shown in Fig. 1, `the forms vwill provide a solidabutment which `will resist the pressure exerted thereonwhen the shieldis moved forwardly by the actionof the screws that have been Vabovedescribed. When the shield is moved forwardly it is of course necessaryto remove the dirt' at the inner end of the tunnel and this can bereadily done by a man using a pick or a hoe, and when the dirt isloosened it is scraped onto the conveyor by means of a hoe or othersuitable tool and is elevated into thedump car 120. The conveyor isprovided with a truck having wheels 121 by which it is supported on atrack formed by ledges that are provided for this purpose on blocks 92.As the specific construction of the conveyor is not claimed in thisapplication, it willnot be described in detail` and has been shown `moreor less diagrammatically in Fig. 12 merely for the purpose offacilitating the description. The conveyor, however, forms a part of themachine and cooperates to Vproduce the desired result, and, therefore,it is an element of the combination which forms the subject of thisinvention.

It is obvious that in order to make it convenient to remove the muckfrom the inner end of the tunnel, the frame must have an unobstructedopening through which lthe muck can be removed and which will permit aman to operate withoutundue hindrance.

`Attention is called toFigs. 2 and 3 from which it will be seen that theframe is so constructed that it has a clear opening in its center andthat it is therefore especially well adapted for this purpose as itpermits the free use of any tools necessary to break down the Amaterialand to transfer' them onto the conveyor. The lower end of the frame isopen so that the frame will yield somewhat and prevent binding in theshield if the latter is slightly deformed by pressure.

Since the concrete has to be introduced from the front end of the mouldand at the top, it is essential that a suitable device shall be providedfor elevating the concrete and for discharging it into the upper end ofthe form. Such a device has been shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1 andconsists of a hopper 122 in which the grout is placed and which isprovided with a pipe 123 that extends upwardly through the upper part ofthe form. Compressed air is applied to the upper surface of theconcret-e grout through a pipe or tube 12a and the concrete is thereforetrans ferred by the pneumatic pressure. After Veach section has beenpoured and the retaining plates put into position, the motor is startedfor the purpose of advancing the shield and when this has been advanced,the motor is reversed so as to move the frame forwardly in order topermit another section of form to be put in place. The tunnel is thusadvanced, one section at a time, and lined with concrete as it advancesand therefore it is possible to build a tunnel in sand or loose dirtwithout cutting through from the top as is now customary. By means ofthis machine tunnels can be cut under streets `without interfering withthe traiiic and can be cut in any place without making it necessary toemploy timbering or other expensive and difiicult means for supportingthe ground until the lining in put in place.

By loosening bolts 14 the tubular members 18 can be independentlyrotated so as to permit the shield and frame to be adjusted with respectto each other.

I desirerto call attention, at this point, to the construction of theblocks 92 which are premoulded and put into place at the rear of theform when the latter has been moved forwardly. The shape of these blockscan be seen by referring to Figs. 1 and 2. 'From 2 it will be seen thateach block has a transverse lug 125 near each end. The upper surfaces ofthese lugs form a track on which the conveyor may travel and which alsoserve as a track for the car 120. By the `simple expedient of providingthe blocks with these integral lugs the track is built as fast as thetunnel is extended inwardly. Blocks 92 are also provided withreenforcing wires 126 whose free ends are employed to secure the lowerends of the forms and to hold them f rec end atfth'hettom'.

inwerdiginoveinentf By einployingrtlie running pis@ S101 heidthe-"wgtgroue While f ,theffravne isinovfedanduntilanother'sectinf'.'has heenpoured, v'it possible pto" build the f f tunnel festes itisnot-, necessary .tov waitfor the celnei'it to set.' The :Ecrinscannotloeare` f ,turn ,piircte'd tof-theftruck etj`129; and, s 'held linthe positicnshcwn in ,Figi :12h51 Ineens of;1ei1;ingmebef130;,iwhenvehelatchiisre fleasefdthe c'onieyerendframe'lQS are movedV ine' iter;cloclifvise directionuntil thereontedlines 12end this inikesit possible cour yor when the. vceinentj isv tobepotnjed distance' hetiireen" tlie putsidej of. wheels`lZObeing'lesstlian'the distencefbetween the Y Y l p p i i c ietedwitheach-sfc'rew,L und ineens for pro-V "7insideY of the/wheels 'of thecement .pouring ,.ppgirn'tuses shown inl? 1g. 18. 1'

' V rstmijc'tion Qfvtunnels 'on openings ef ell ,kinds .1, requiressupporti," as by, usingy this, machine,

` fthen-eed eftiinhering orrother l erti'ciel surp-V I "1 TftSiS,lobvtedthereby idlibng .the 'cost Ythe ytrainie-n'ear the upperend-thereof, "filf'p'luV- 'ralityfof screwsfconnectingfthe frame andtheof the 'coinstru'ctiO,Il.;- l

i Y fectftllti the" distance'hetween the vvoiitfsi'dveof` `the forni andtheinside Q-theshield yincreases ll provide@soV inucli more space? etthe top fis reineved-thet leave recessoflconside 'cepzicitylonftlifepoutsidej of .the shield, jsind, ,thereforlefwhenz the-shieldlis 'mowed forward ,if In thefspeciticetionsl*undfcl'airns.,thestateL s medei-thatthef freineV isv of? size and f Vlenti 60 be jul 1ersedes meaning-ninth@ y -gra /ie'iilfl' the hieldednipletely'as thefrance 'l `/isfsepltedffrem,the shield, both ait-the top leere themin'pl'ce as longis'rneybe neces-,- Y'

, v2. A tunn'elinginiachine l coinbinetion', 'u tubularfshieldo'ft-hesizel vand te pass the c e1nent.introducing device, shown bygrlottedlines in Fig, "1,1 over the Ytop ,of thev vihet nneling. inechine justdescribed finds.

, A, i ,quiteffast'towards'the,topj:' Thereas why, 21e' p v ythat,.i't.,s',ornetimesV happens'ithet boulders faire "the concreteA will -flowintothiscavity,,end unless e, sulicientreserire .of cement isprovided'atthe top, thecrown ot the linigljwilli,

.end `Vof cachot` thescrews heingeo'nnected with Y {sei-neige, .ingfonrlilhat;iieedsjsuppert, the the framefmahsor Simultaneously roftngnel ,opening willcevein soonl thatwhi'ch is 'Ynsed to lill cavitieslinto*formsf Y, f v- 5(A A p tunneling -nacliin'e comprising, 'in

combination,eV shieldpf the size ein shpe oft-he unfinished tunnelopening', e 'renie of the size and ls'haipe olf thfeinterioro'ftheshield,

"recaen Having described ,theginegongwhat iis claimedasnewiszf f v' l 1.A Vtunneling:machinel "compr singiv in.,

coinhinetion, a; tuhularshield of thel size and shape Ydesired fori the'unfinished tunnel, jai

A.freine off'thehprper; size' yend slifipeto it'the inside ,of .the xshield, said," freine lhaving' l an n* opening therethrough,lepluralityof thread-,1-

ed,` screws extending Ybetweenand connecting the frimney and shield;`enut foreech' screw,

said; nutsgibeing rotatbly' ccnneeted` with one j 'offsaid(inenfilcGFS,A and means for producing shape f desired'bfo/r thelunfinished tillnnel,YA an a plurality ot screwslgconnecting'the'Yren/iewith. the shield ,atspacefd peints', e' nut,'assool'nprising,VV in ,openfframe'whose outsidesi-ze and'shapeis ducing'simultaneous reletifei rotetio'n lloe'- tween thenutsfindy screwsyw-herehy the frame j and shield will 'be' Inove'd j relative .fr t'oeach Y ai 'freine slidalile'l inthe shield, said razyrnejhavngienopening, e geencesifl, connected `,with

shield, a screw connected with Aeg'ichfnut, `one pair of forni ,membersadapted; to' he placed directly to 'the' rearolttfh'efrerne ineens Vfor'connecting the upper endsf'theforni inem- 'fr `plates edeptedfto 'heinserted hetweenr therame und the forniV members, ,and meansforleitchir'g"thevplates to'the @rdimm-shaving enpuno'bstr espace tunnelingmachine coniprisingin Y the, severe-l- Viscreizvs wherehyfthe rer'nefendi l shield can lheim'oved, relative A teca-ch other," a Y ice tweenthe'vnuts and'screws,sseid"rneens being combination-,'vshield ofthe-size 'and shape of l YVthe unfinished tunneLIe ranleof ythe sizesind Y sha'peio lit the in'sidejtl tf-lie'shield', e plural; if.

(so. uw

screws for interconnecting the frame and shield, one of said membershaving nuts with which the screws cooperate, means for producingsimultaneous relative rotation be-. tween the screws and the nuts, andmeans for independently adjusting the screws and nuts.

6. A tunneling machine comprising, in combination, a shield of the sizeand shape of the unfinished tunnel, the upper end of the shield having awidened portion, a frame o'f the size and shape to fit the opening inthe shield, the center of the frame being open, a plurality of screwslextending between the frame and the shield, nuts carried by one of themembers, the screws being connected with the nuts and with the othermember, and means for producing simultaneous relative rotation betweenthe nuts and screws.

7. A tunneling machine, comprising, in combination, a shield of ovalshape and of the size of the unfinished tunnel opening, the shieldhaving a reenforcing member on its inner surface adjacent the front end,the upper ends of the reenforcing member being connected with atransverse bar located near the top of the shield, an open frame locatedin the shield and movable therealong, a threaded bar having one endconnected with the transverse bar and the other extending through anopening in the frame, a` nut rotatably connected with the frame andoperatively associated with the threaded bar, a plurality of nutssecured to the inside of the shield near the front end thereof, a screwoperatively associated with each nut, one end of each screw beingrotatably connected to the frame, and means for simultaneously rotatingthe nut that is carried by the frame and the screws.

8. A tunneling machine comprising, in combination, a tubular shield, aframe located in the shield and movable therealong, a. plurality ofscrews extending from the frame to the shield, a nut associated witheach screw, a motor for rotating the nuts and screws relative to eachother and a reduction gear between the motor and the screws,

l 9. A tunneling machine having a shield of the size and shape oitheunfinished tunnel opening, an open frame of the size and shape of theinside of the shield, means for producing relative movement between thelshield and frame, a sectional form adapted to be put into place adjacentto the rear surface of the frame for forming therewith a chamber adaptedto receive and hold a cement grout, and retaining plates adapted to beinserted between the frame and the adjacent edge of the form forretaining the grout when the frame is moved forwardly.

10. A tunneling machine having a shield of the size and shape of theunfinished tunnel opening, an open 'frame of the size and shape of theinside of the shield, means for producing relative movement between theshield and frame, a sectional form adapted to be put into place adjacentto the rear surface of the frame for forming therewith a chamber adaptedto receive and hold a cement grout, retaining plates adapted to beinserted between the frame and the adjacent `edge of the form forretaining the grout when the frame is moved forwardly, and latchingmeans for securing the retaining plates to the forms.

l1. A tunneling machine having a shield of the size and shape of theunfinished tunnel opening, an open frame of the size and shape of theinside of the shield, means for producing relative movement between theshield and frame, said last named means comprising a plurality of screwsthat extend from the front edge of the shield to the frame, nuts securedto one of the members for cooperating with the screws, and means forsimultaneously rotating the nuts and screws relative to each other, saidmeans comprising a bevel gear located near the top of the frame, a bevelpinion located on each side of' the first gear, a shaft extendingdownwardly from each of the two pinions, and means interposed betweenthe shafts and the screws for producing relative rotation between thescrews and nuts.

l2. A tunneling machine comprising, in combination, a shield of the sizeand shape of the uniinished tunnel opening, a frame movable in theshield, said frame being open from the inner lower end and upwardly, aplurality of screws connected with the frame and the shield, one of saidmembers having nuts that cooperate with the screws and means forsimultaneously rotating the screws and the nuts relative to cach otherwhereby the frame and shield will be Imoved relative to each other.

13. In a device of the class described, a set of tunnel formscomprising, in combination, a tubular shield, a correspondingly shapedframe located within the shield, said frame being open from the bottomupwardly, means comprising a plurality of interiorly threaded membersand screws for movably interconnecting the frame and shield, and meansfor simultaneously rotating the screws and internally threaded niembersrelative to each other, whereby the frame and shield will be movedrelative to each other.

14. A tunneling device comprising, in combination, a shield having thesize and shape of the unfinished opening, a frame of the proper size andshape to lit the inside of the shield, means for moving the frame andshield relative to each other, a plurality of pairs of form sectionsloca-ted to the rear of the shield and frame, means comprising a motorfor operating the moving means, and means for slidably supporting themotor from the top of the form sections.

